Bermuda Court Addresses Parental Alienation in Custody Case

On 20 April 2026, the Supreme Court of Bermuda issued a ruling in the case of K v A [2026] SC (Bda) 32 Div, addressing allegations of domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behavior, and parental alienation in a child custody dispute.

Case Background

The case involved a fact-finding hearing in a family law dispute where the mother alleged that the father engaged in domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behavior, and parental alienation. The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that the father's conduct amounted to domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behavior, and parental alienation, causing harm to the ten-year-old child.

Court's Findings

The court suspended the previous joint custody arrangements, placed the child in the sole custody and care of the mother, and restricted the father's contact to supervised audio and video calls pending further order. The court emphasized that the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration and that parental alienation can have significant negative impacts on the child and the alienated parent.

Legal Implications

This ruling underscores the Bermuda judiciary's commitment to addressing issues of domestic abuse and parental alienation in custody disputes. It highlights the importance of prioritizing the child's welfare and taking decisive action to protect children from harmful parental behaviors.